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      Thomas Tuchel AGREES to become England manager with ex-Chelsea boss expected to be hired THIS WEEK

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      THOMAS TUCHEL has AGREED to take charge of England.The FA have been searching for a permanent successor for Gareth Southgate after the 54-year-old quit the role following a heartbreaking Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain in July.Thomas Tuchel has reportedly agreed to take charge of EnglandCredit: GettyThe German is set to replace Gareth Southgate as the new Three Lions gafferFA CEO Mark Bullingham had some big names on his shortlist of candidates to replace SouthgateBut they’ve decided to appoint the former Chelsea manager as the nation’s 20th bossCredit: AFPFA bigwig Mark Bullingham had former Chelsea manager Tuchel high on his list of candidates to replace the recently departed Southgate.Talks for the out-of-work German to take charge of the Three Lions began earlier this week.And SunSport understands the former Bayern Munich gaffer has now AGREED a deal with the Football Association.The 51-year-old is set to be announced as the nation’s 20th manager IMMINENTLY.READ MORE ON TUCHELAnd he is set to take home a cool £5MILLION A YEAR as Three Lions chief.It’s a drastic pay cut, however, in comparison to the £10m-a-year deal he was on during his time in charge of Chelsea – who he managed for 20 months before being sacked in September 2022.However, this does not mean that Lee Carsley will be leaving his interim role immediately.He is expected to continue in his role until after the Nations League fixtures against Greece and the Republic of Ireland in November.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSTuchel – who has been out of work since leaving Bayern at the end of last season – hashed out a lucrative deal with the FA following a breakneck speed conclusion to talks.It’s understood he’s relishing the prospect of coaching the talented players now available to him.Inside Thomas Tuchel’s crazy lifeANDY DILLON: Thomas Tuchel has all the ingredients to become a classic England manager – tactical nous, drive and a tangled love lifeBy Andy DillonTHOMAS TUCHEL possesses all the ingredients to become a classic England manager.Tactical nous, drive, energy, experience – a tangled love life.English football should welcome back the most explosive, dynamic, charismatic and impossibly tall and gangly coach to have lit up the Premier League.Chelsea’s colourful former boss has been leading a settled life in Munich of late.Far enough away from ex-wife Sissi but close enough to see his two daughters.Walking his dog in the streets in the east of Germany’s most fashionable city, residing in the posh Bogenhausen area. Living relatively quietly with his Brazilian girlfriend.Tuchel is a vastly different personality to the man who led England quietly but assuredly to the brink of World Cups and European Championships.An excitable nature can make him hard to handle for those seeking calm and who like to impose their way on a manager they view very much as an underling.Read more on why Tuchel REALLY IS the best man for the England jobTuchel is set to become only England’s THIRD-EVER foreign manager behind the late Sven Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.But he seemingly wasn’t the FA’s first-choice candidate to succeed Southgate in the Wembley hotseat.The FA reportedly made overtures to secure the services of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola BEFORE the start of the season.SunSport understands the out-of-work Graham Potter and current Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe were also on the FA’s shortlist.But they ultimately decided not to pursue either man in favour of the vastly experienced Tuchel.Carsley was also in contention to land the gig but sensationally ruled himself out of the running last week.Tuchel was on course to return to management in England’s top flight before agreeing to take charge of the national team.Manchester United held talks with the veteran manager in the summer about replacing the under-pressure Erik ten Hag.Tuchel is best known to England fans for his stint managing Chelsea, who he was in charge of for just over a season and a half.Southgate vs Tuchel records comparedTHOMAS TUCHELAugsburg II 2007-2008P34 W 20 D8 L6 Win percentage: 58.82%Mainz 05 2009-2014P184 W72 D46 L66 Win percentage: 39.13%Borussia Dortmund 2015-2017P107 W67 D23 L17 Win percentage: 62.62%Honours: DFB Pokal Paris Saint Germain 2018-2020P127 W95 D13 L16 Win percentage: 74.8%Honours: Ligue 1 X2, Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, Trophee des Champions x2Chelsea 2021-2022P100 W60 D24 L16 Win percentage: 60%Honours: Champions League, Super Cup, Club World CupBayern Munich 2023-2024P61 W37 D8 L16 Win percentage: 60.66%Honours: BundesligaGARETH SOUTHGATEMiddlesbrough 2006-2009P151 W54 D43 Win percentage: 35.76%England U21 2013-2016P37 W27 D5 L5 Win percentage: 72.97%Honours: Toulon tournamentEngland 2016-PresentP102 W61 D24 L17 Win percentage: 59.8%He guided the West Londoners to European glory in May 2021, pipping Manchester City to the Champions League trophy.He followed that up by winning Uefa’s Super and Club World Cups.Tuchel steered the Chelsea ship through tumultuous waters after former owner Roman Abramovich was forced to sell the club in May 2022.The billionaire was forced to sell up after the UK Government froze his assets as part of their sanctions on Russia following their illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.But he was given his marching orders by new owner Todd Boehly the following September after a poor start to the 2022/2023 season.Tuchel was out of work for six months before he took charge of Bayern, whom he guided to the 22/23 Bundesliga title.Thomas Tuchel managed Chelsea for just over a season and a half and guided them to Champions League gloryCredit: GETTYHe was most recently in charge of German giants Bayern MunichCredit: APTuchel will likely be joined in London by his girlfriend Natalie MaxCredit: REXTuchel started dating Natalie following his separation from his ex-wife of 13 years, SissiCredit: GETTYIt was announced he’d leave the Allianz Arena in February after his troops fell eight points behind last season’s Bundesliga winners Bayer Leverkusen.But he didn’t end up departing the club until the end of the season.Tuchel will likely base himself in London once he officially takes charge of the Three Lions.He will be joined by his long-term girlfriend Natalie Guerriero Max, 37.The loved-up pair have been dating since the summer of 2022.READ MORE SUN STORIESTuchel found love with the Brazilian following his separation from his ex-wife, Sissi.The pair, who were with one another for 13 years, have two children together.Who has Tuchel coached?Here is a list of the England stars that have already worked with Thomas Tuchel…Harry Kane – Bayern MunichEric Dier – Bayern MunichMason Mount – ChelseaReece James – ChelseaBen Chilwell – ChelseaCallum Hudson-Odoi – ChelseaRuben Loftus-Cheek – ChelseaRaheem Sterling – ChelseaRoss Barkley – ChelseaTammy Abraham – ChelseaConor Gallagher – Chelsea More

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      Cole Palmer delivers one-word verdict on Chelsea wonderkid, 17, in message to him before he’s even played for Blues

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      CHELSEA star Cole Palmer called Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian, who will move to Stamford Bridge in the summer, a “star”. The Blues reached a deal with Palmeiras to sign Estevao, 17, in May following a £56million agreement with the youngster staying with the Brazilian giants until he turns 18 years old.Chelsea star Cole Palmer called soon-to-be team-mate Estevao Willian a ‘star’Credit: AFPEstevao emulated Palmer’s signature celebration a day after signing with ChelseaCredit: AlamyThe winger scored a goal a day after penning with the West Londoners and revealed he emulated Palmer’s famous “cold” celebration, which sees him rub his arms as if he’s shivering.That led to an exchange between the two soon-to-be team-mates on social media with the England international complimenting the forward’s skills and talent.The Chelsea star also told the teenage sensation that he is looking forward to doing “a lot of great things” together next season.Estevao told The Guardian: “When I signed for Chelsea, the next day I scored a goal and celebrated like Palmer.Read More on Football”His celebration was trendy, very popular. We talked on social media, I tagged him on Instagram.”He called me a star, I said he’s a star too. He said we’re going to do a lot of great things together for Chelsea.”Estevao has amassed a total of 15 goals and 10 assists in 42 appearances with Palmeiras and was also called up for international duty by Brazil’s senior team.The forward has already picked up two caps and is expected to mix things up with some of his international team-mates in the Premier League.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThat includes Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, with whom he had a funny interaction recently while on national duty.Estevao added: “In shooting training, I started to hit all the shots and Alisson got a bit angry.Chelsea fans love Cole Palmer’s reaction to huge brawl – but work out clever reason why he didn’t get involved”He said he was still warming up, that I should wait a little bit. But I took it a bit seriously and scored many goals [against] him.”He took it all in jest, but I hope that next year I can do [it] again against him in [Premier League] matches. We’ll see a lot of each other in England.” More

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      Former Chelsea star plots raid on old club for two stars including audacious Barcelona loan swoop for £58m ace

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      BARCELONA chief Deco is plotting to raid former club Chelsea for two stars this winter.The Portuguese ace is sporting director at the Nou Camp after a glittering playing career.Barcelona chief Deco is targeting two signings from Chelsea this winterCredit: GettyThe ace won two FA Cups and a title as a Chelsea playerCredit: PA:Press AssociationDeco won five titles and two Champions Leagues with Porto and Barcelona.He then moved to Chelsea in 2008 and played 58 times while leading the Blues to two FA Cups and a Premier League.After hanging up his boots in 2013 following a spell with Fluminense, the 75-time Portugal international took time out of the game before becoming an agent.But Deco returned to the biggest stage of all when he was named Barcelona’s new sporting director last year.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe has already helped his former club seal some big deals, including £55million summer signing Dani Olmo.And now, Deco is reportedly lining up a double raid on Chelsea for two midfielders.Football Espana claims the Nou Camp chief is first confident of tying up a loan deal for Carney Chukwuemeka.It’s reckoned the ex-Aston Villa man was an option for Barcelona over the summer, but doubts over his fitness following a long-term injury scuppered the deal.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSChukwuemeka is now fit and ready to fire.But he is way down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, making him a viable target for Barcelona in January.Chelsea fans love Cole Palmer’s reaction to huge brawl – but work out clever reason why he didn’t get involvedCarney Chukwuemeka is one of Barca’s top targetsCredit: GettyThe Spaniards would also a loan deal for Romeo LaviaCredit: AlamyDeco’s other target at Chelsea is less realistic though.He is said to be a huge fan of Romeo Lavia, who has barely featured for the Blues following a £58m move from Southampton last year.Deco would love to take the former Man City holding midfielder to the Nou Camp.But Enzo Maresca is reportedly keen to get Lavia into his starting XI and is extremely unlikely to sanction an exit, even on a short-term basis.Players signed under Boehly at ChelseaRaheem Sterling – £50mKalidou Koulibaly £33mGabriel Slonina – £8mCarney Chukweumeka – £20mMarc Cucurella – £57.5mCesare Casadei – £13.3mWesley Fofana – £70mPierre-Emerick Aubameyang – £10.3mDenis Zakaria – £2.7m (Loan fee)David Datro Fofana – £10.6mBenoit Badiashile – £33.7mAndrey Santos – £11.1mJoao Felix – £9.7m (Loan fee)Mykhailo Mudryk – £62m Noni Madueke – £30mMalo Gusto – £26.75mEnzo Fernandez – £107.8mChristopher Nkunku – £52mDiego Moreira – FREENicolas Jackson – £31.5mAngelo Gabriel – £13mLesley Ugochukwu – £23.3mAxel Disasi – £38.9mRobert Sanchez – £20mMoises Caicedo – £115mRomeo Lavia – £53.2mDeivid Washington – £13.7mCole Palmer – £40.1mDjordje Petrovic – £13.6mTosin Adarabioyo – FREEMarc Guiu – £5.1mCaleb Wiley – £8.63mRenato Veiga – £12mAarón Anselmino – £14mOmari Kellyman – £19.2mFilip Jorgensen – £21mKiernan Dewsbury-Hall – £30.2mPedro Neto – £51mJoao Felix – £42.6mMike Penders – £17m More

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      Chelsea outcast Ben Chilwell linked with shock Napoli transfer but host of Premier League rivals also in the hunt

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      BEN CHILWELL could be the latest Premier League star to join the exodus to Napoli.SunSport can reveal the Italian giants – who have already signed Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour – are tracking the Chelsea full-back.Ben Chilwell could join Napoli in JanuaryCredit: ReutersHe’s expected to leave Stamford Bridge in January and Napoli boss Antonio Conte is believed to be a huge fan of the England defender.Chilwell could move on loan with an option to sign a long-term deal at the end of the season.But Napoli won’t have it all their own way. It’s understood a host of Premier League clubs are also admirers of Chilwell.Fulham, Palace and Ipswich are all monitoring the situation and could make their move in January as well.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe England ace almost left Chelsea over the summer but stayed at Stamford Bridge after failing to find a new club.But sources say the ex-Leicester City full-back is concerned about the lack of game-time he is likely to get in West London so is open to a move.Chelsea are also thought to be keen to explore the option of letting Chilwell leave as they grapple with the demands of trying to manage a massive squad.It comes just weeks after it seemed Chilwell had secured a dramatic pathway back into the fold at Chelsea after being named in their Premier League squad.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe £50 million defender was one of the infamous ‘bomb squad’ of unwanted stars banished to train away from the rest of the first-team1 squad by hardline head coach Enzo Maresca during the transfer window.But after failing to find a new club for the one-time England left-back, Chilwell was later included on the 25-man list of players for top flight games this season in a surprise U-turn.Cole Palmer labelled ‘aura personified’ as Chelsea ace stars in nine-minute Burberry ad without saying a wordChilwell’s last appearance for Chelsea was as a two-minute sub appearance in the FA Cup semi final defeat to Manchester City back in April.Chelsea managed to offload many of those stars in a frantic finish to the latest transfer window – Raheem Sterling joined Arsenal, Trevoh Chalobah is on loan at Crystal Palace and keeper Kepa Arribalaga joined Bournemouth on loan too.No deals could be done for Chilwell and he will now remain at Chelsea until January at the earliest.His long term place at Stamford Bridge looks shaky with Marc Cucurella and Levi Colwill ahead of him in the pecking order at left back. More

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      Jonas Eidevall reflects on ‘hurt’ of Arsenal’s three-game winless run following WSL derby loss to Chelsea

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      JONAS EIDEVALL admits Arsenal have had a bad start to their season after they slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Chelsea. The Gunners boss says he aims to focus on the things he ‘can control’ when questioned on whether he feels his job is safe.Jonas Eidevall says Arsenal’s recent results have not helped their “league-winning” ambitions with the team collecting one point from their last WSL gamesCredit: GettyVersatile Blues winger Sandy Baltimore was among Chelsea’s scorers against ArsenalCredit: GettyEidevall has come under pressure from some Arsenal supporters amid three difficult results for his side in the past week. And a couple of defensive blips during set pieces saw his team lose their Saturday afternoon duel with Chelsea, conceding twice during the game’s first 16 minutes. Despite a late Arsenal fightback, goals from Mayra Ramirez and Sandy Baltimore were enough to seal a significant away victory for Sonia Bompastor’s Blues. The result led to the Gunners notching back-to-back defeats across all competitions after Bayern Munich trounced them 5-2 in the Champions League four days ago.Arsenal boss Eidevall said: “You need to do your absolute best in every single game. “But there is no point in hiding away from reality in saying it’s a bad start to the season.“It certainly doesn’t help with league-winning ambitions. “But it doesn’t change the perspective that you need to go game-by-game.”Most read in FootballArsenal have netted just two goals in their last three league fixtures with their last win in the top tier occurring away against Leicester City.And the loss to the Blues took their tally of winless results at the Emirates to three so far this season. On if he feels his job is safe, the Gunners chief added: “I gave absolutely everything in preparation for this game. “You can see the players gave absolutely everything on the pitch. “That’s the part you can control as a coach. That’s what you can control and ask for from the players as well.“I fully understand that people are disappointed when we don’t win football matches and we are also really disappointed. “We are really hurting, I’m hurting, the players are hurting. We want to do that better so I fully understand that in that moment.” Ramirez gave the Blues a fourth-minute lead with Arsenal caught out by a corner-kick that ended with a looped overhead strike from the Colombian dropping in behind goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar.Baltimore’s header 12 minutes later made it a tough start for the hosts before they battled back with Caitlin Foord firing in an angled goal near halftime. The hosts upped the ante in attack in the second half with Chelsea spending large parts of the game’s closing stages defending. But they held out to claim maximum points with USA chief and ex-Blues boss Emma Hayes, and Arsenal football director Edu, among the guests watching from the stands. The result led to Bompastor registering her first win in the WSL against the Gunners leapfrogging Manchester City to go top before the Cityzens’ trip to Liverpool on Sunday.  Sonia Bompastor says she wants to encourage her team to hate conceding after they kept a third successive clean sheet in the WSL this termCredit: GettyThe Blues boss said: “I want my team to be able to hate conceding goals and I think this is what they showed with their mentality READ MORE SUN STORIES“When you play a game away and the team is doing good and you can hear your fans cheering for the team and supporting you, it’s so powerful. “I’m so proud of them and so happy for them.” More

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      Man Utd ‘already considering buying back star they sold for £5m in May’ as Real Madrid and Barcelona eye transfer

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly considering making a huge transfer U-turn a mere FIVE MONTHS after sanctioning the sale of a former player.According to reports, manager Erik Ten Hag is already plotting to bring in reinforcements in January – despite his neck being on the chopping block.Manchester United are reportedly contemplating re-signing Alvaro Carrera’s from BenficaCredit: GettyThe Red Devils sold the left-back to the Portuguese club for £5million in MayCredit: GETTYUnited are reportedly considering triggering the buy-back clause they placed in the dealCredit: GETTYAnd it’s claimed the club are contemplating re-signing defender Alvaro Carreras – who they sold to Benfica last summer.That’s according to the Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, who claim the Red Devils are considering exercising the buy-back clause they placed in the £5million deal they struck with the Lisbon club.United, however, will reportedly face competition for the 21-year-old’s services from La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.The Red Devils signed Carerras from Real in September 2020, pipping both Barca and Manchester City to his services.READ MORE ON MAN UTDBut he failed to make a single first-team appearance for the club, who sent him on loan three times before he joined Benfica on a permanent deal in May.Carreras has gone from strength to strength since moving to the Portuguese capital, making nine appearances in all competitions this season.Ten Hag may not get to bring Carreras back to Old Trafford as he’s seemingly on the verge of being sacked, although the Dutchman remains confident of turning things around.He told Sky Sports earlier this month: “We are going to make a success from the season.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Nothing is easy, but this is nothing for me to panic about. “We can sort [the problems] out, this team can sort this out.”Erik ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy caught in heated conversation during Man Utd’s draw at Villa “I’m not thinking about it,” he said when asked if he’s worried about being sacked. “I’m not anxious.”We created a togetherness in the summer with the ownership and the leadership.”We made this agreement, and we were all behind it. We know the strategy [is to bring in] young players in a transition period.”They also know in May in all my last six seasons there were always trophies and that is what we are aiming for.”Manchester United will be back in action on Saturday afternoon, welcoming Brentford to Old Trafford. More

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      Enzo Maresca’s doing the unthinkable at Chelsea by dumping Todd Boehly’s showpiece signings and introducing common sense

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      AS MESSAGES go, it was pretty clear.None of those subtle mind games journalists must turn to when they have failed to shoehorn a line out of some dullard manager who has said nothing in a press conference.Enzo Maresca could finally be the tough manager Chelsea needCredit: AlamyCo-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali had chopped and changedCredit: RexBut then Enzo Maresca doesn’t do dodging and weaving in the public eye. He says it how it is in a calm, clipped manner.And it’s straight to the point.Like his curt and curious response to one innocent questioner asking whether Chelsea is his chance to forge a reputation for himself as a Premier League manager.Neither Maresca’s tone nor his expression wavered as he replied: “I have a wife, four kids and a  mum and dad. I have a reputation already.”READ MORE TOP STORIESBlunt if a little weird, right?So when Chelsea’s fifth manager in 2½ years declared his steadily rejuvenating team are nowhere near as good as Manchester City or Arsenal because they have stuck by their respective managers, he was simply talking sense.He was also telling his bosses at Stamford Bridge in no uncertain terms the sackings must stop if they want to get the club back to where they enjoyed so many trophy-laden seasons.Some of his predecessors said the same and everyone else in the room rolled their eyes.Most read in FootballMykhailo Mudryk has had little Prem action under Maresca and even saw Jadon Sancho arrive in effect as a like-for-like replacementCredit: RexFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSWhen Maresca declared just a couple of weeks into the job that “I call the shots”, we yawned.Yet there is a growing sense Maresca might be the man to finally tame Chelsea’s Wild West owners — the American-led posse of investment specialists and financiers who think they know everything but know very little about actual football.Chelsea legend’s daughter puts on busty display in low-cut top for stunning holiday snaps as fans call her ‘radiant’He is spot on that his team is a long way back from City and Arsenal.Sunday’s scrambled 1-1 draw at home to ten-man Nottingham Forest confirms that.Chelsea occupy fourth place in the Premier League mainly by default because Tottenham, Newcastle and particularly Manchester United, are so unpredictable. Yet it doesn’t take 20-20 vision to catch a glimpse of Maresca’s hand at work as he backs up his strong words with deeds.Nowhere is that more noticeable than in Mykhailo Mudryk’s plight.The winger is expected to start Ukraine’s Nations League game with Georgia tonight.Yet he has started only one Premier League game for Chelsea since the back end of August and is slowly but surely sliding down the ladder of importance under Maresca.It happens to most players at some point.Only Mudryk, 23, was a symbol of the new Chelsea — an expensive showpiece signing snared after a protracted chase at the behest of Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, when they were feeling their way in the transfer market.The cynical view is that the main attraction was purely that Arsenal wanted Mudryk too.Thus starry-eyed Chelsea swooped simply to beat a rival, because that’s how they perceived business should be done.Whatever the truth, it cost an upfront £62million, plus add-ons.A new manager ditching a chairman’s marquee signing so unceremoniously takes balls.But now Mudryk can’t get anywhere near the first team for ­Premier League games.Ironically, he has played more minutes under Maresca than any other Chelsea boss . . . just not in the games that matter.Instead it has been the Conference League and a starring role against Barrow in the Carabao Cup.For a new manager to ditch a chairman’s marquee signing so unceremoniously takes balls.Not only that, he brought in Jadon Sancho to play in Mudryk’s position.A one-two combo Sugar Ray Robinson would have been proud of.No subtle psychology either. Mudryk’s out and my man’s in — so Behdad and Boehly must suck it up.And they seem to be.Maresca has since gone on to surgically dissect his entire squad — one for the Premier League and one for everything else.It’s up to those in the cup squad to impress their way on to Maresca’s A-list and for those in it to do enough to stay there. Simple and effective.Common sense at Chelsea? It will never catch on.It’s a win-winWE have finally reached a point in football where both sides claim to have won.The hubris-driven reactions of Manchester City and the Premier League to their latest courtroom battle over dodgy dealings added to the confusion for many.Pep Guardiola’s Man City and the Prem both claimed victoryCredit: GettyYet it may well have inadvertently opened up a whole new approach to the beautiful game in  a world where winning means big-time wonga.Imagine a sport where nobody loses? Where the result doesn’t matter because you can simply say ‘I won’ and everybody else is so bloody confused that they can’t be a***d to argue.Sounds ludicrous. But a few years ago we’d have said that about VAR, a Champions League where you don’t have to be a champion to play in it, the 39th game, kick-offs at 8pm on a Saturday, £100 a ticket, cup competitions loaded to favour the big teams, players on £500k a week and half- and-half scarves.Oh, and £25 for a bobble hat in some club shops, which I saw a few weeks back. Still only one winner there.Judges out in a blazer gloryWIMBLEDON dole office will be busier than usual in July when queues of redundant line judges start signing on.The All England Club’s switch over to automated, eagle-eyed, infallible technology to spot whether a ball is in or out means it’s curtains for around 300 of them.Wimbledon line judges might be queuing up elsewhere next summerCredit: APWimbledon say they are behind the times when it comes to moving over to AI instead of actual humans to make the big calls and stress they will do their best to find the officials alternative employment.Even so, look out next summer for a Centre Court full of second-hand £900 Ralph Lauren official Wimbo blazers being offered for sale on Vinted.Pore decisionI’M all for revolting fans — but the daftest demo  must go to the Spanish couple who got themselves in bother in Singapore for having a pop at Valencia owner Peter Lim by holding up a ‘Lim Go Home’ banner outside his house. Er . . .   No-one else up to scratchIT’S farewell to Rafa Nadal, the man who made wedgie-wiggling a sport in its own right.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Spaniard retires next month after 22 Slam wins.When we’re no longer able to focus on his bizarre habit of sticking his fingers into his backside and his nose-pulling and ear-scratching routine, we’ll just have to watch the tennis. Grim.Rafa Nadal is bowing out at the top of tennisCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea legend reveals boozy Christmas party tactic that stopped him ‘being in a coma for seven days’

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      CHELSEA legend Gus Poyet has recalled the sneaky Christmas party tractic he used to avoid drinking too much booze.The former Blues star jokingly explained how he cleverly avoided “being placed in a coma for seven days” during Chelsea nights out.Gus Poyet recalled his brilliant party trick to avoid getting too drunk at ChelseaPoyet reckons he mastered the practice of safe drinking during his five years in West London between 1997 and 2001.In fact, the Uruguayan finally held his hands up to admit that he would turn up hours late to avoid a deadly hangover.Poyet told The Times:”For Christmas nights out in London the players would get together at two o’clock, so I would get there at seven. “If I start at two — I’m not going to name names but the way some could drink was unbelievable. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”And the next day, they train — no problem. Me, I would be in a coma for seven days.”When asked about his social life at Chelsea, he said: “Top. But the drinking culture — I was shocked. I remember being injured, my first night out.”They gave me a beer and I’m holding it, I don’t know if I’m going to drink. And then they bring me another one and put it in my other hand.”I adapted. I knew you have to give something of yourself and even if I wasn’t a big drinker I needed to be present. Part of the team.Most read in FootballPoyet won the FA Cup and the Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup during his stint at Chelsea – with Dennis Wise and Roberto Di MatteoFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”So I never missed a night out, but did it my way.” When asked about the football, Poyet said: “It was physical. I liked it. Away from home, north, it was always tough. Leeds!Tottenham legend Gus Poyet explains why Ange Postecoglou can end trophy hoodoo and win Carabao Cup despite Coventry horror show”A typical question they ask me everywhere in the world is: ‘who was the toughest player you play against?’ “Well, every time you were facing Roy Keane you needed to be prepared. Because you knew he was coming.”Poyet scored 49 goals in 145 Chelsea midfield appearances after joining as a free agent.He joined Tottenham in May 2021 for around £2.2m and scored 14 goals in his debut season, helping Spurs reach the League Cup final where they lost 2-1 to Blackburn.His time at Spurs was blighted by injuries after he sustained cruciate ligament damage for the second time in his career in August 2002.After hanging up his boots in 2004, Poyet began his coaching career as assistant coach of Swindon Town.He later managed Brighton, Sunderland, AEK Athens and the Greece national team until his contract ended in March this year. More